Vintage IBM Model M 120/122 Key Clicky Keyboard With Built - In USB (1992)
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:482961 | Brand: IBM |
| Type: Keyboard |
This is a 1992 IBM Model M 120/122 key keyboard that has been heavily modified. It is a bucking spring keyboard, thus it has amazing feel and that wonderful click with each key press.
These keyboards are unrivalled in their quality and feel.
Here is a list of the modifications:
1) Specialized low profile screws have been used to replace the plastic tabs holding the keys to the metal plate internally. Often you will see something similar to this, called a bolt modif...ication. I find the screw modification is better due to the very low clearance between the metal plate and the underbelly of the keyboard. I've had bolt modified keyboards with dead spots due to the large size of the bolts. The screw modification solves this.
2) A Teensy microprocessor has been added to the keyboard internally. This processor allows the keyboard to work on Windows and probably Linux and Mac machines. I installed the qmk firmware on the microprocessor. I find it's more reliable than soarer's firmware since it doesn't use interrupts, ie, no lost keystrokes. It also allows the keys to be reprogrammed, with some effort. I have defaulted the programming to the layout in the pictures.
This microprocessor also allows the keyboard to work via USB, so I've replaced the RJ45 connector with a high quality five and a half foot USB cable.
3) The function keys on the left all have custom programming such as copy, paste, volume up, volume down, mute, Etc. The function keys at the top all return unique scan codes and can be used to program macros using a utility such as Autohotkey.
4) The keyboard has been converted from an ISO layout to an ANSI layout. This reduced the key count from 122 to 120, but provides the most common layout used in the US. The primary differences are, the wider shift key on the left, the wider enter key, the movement of the backslash key to above the enter key, the tall plus key on the number pad, and several additional modifications.
Also, key caps have been replaced to better show many of the keys functions, for example, an Escape key has been added as well as Num Lock and many of the numeric keypad operators. Most of which came from a 101 key Model M.
5) The microprocessor can be reprogrammed by using the red push button on the back of the keyboard. If pushed by mistake, the keyboard should be unplugged and plugged back in.
For whoever buys the keyboard, I will do a one-time custom programming of the keys. This can be as simple as moving the Escape key or adding several keystrokes to various keys. Just let me know the changes you desire.
These keyboards are unrivalled in their quality and feel.
Here is a list of the modifications:
1) Specialized low profile screws have been used to replace the plastic tabs holding the keys to the metal plate internally. Often you will see something similar to this, called a bolt modif...ication. I find the screw modification is better due to the very low clearance between the metal plate and the underbelly of the keyboard. I've had bolt modified keyboards with dead spots due to the large size of the bolts. The screw modification solves this.
2) A Teensy microprocessor has been added to the keyboard internally. This processor allows the keyboard to work on Windows and probably Linux and Mac machines. I installed the qmk firmware on the microprocessor. I find it's more reliable than soarer's firmware since it doesn't use interrupts, ie, no lost keystrokes. It also allows the keys to be reprogrammed, with some effort. I have defaulted the programming to the layout in the pictures.
This microprocessor also allows the keyboard to work via USB, so I've replaced the RJ45 connector with a high quality five and a half foot USB cable.
3) The function keys on the left all have custom programming such as copy, paste, volume up, volume down, mute, Etc. The function keys at the top all return unique scan codes and can be used to program macros using a utility such as Autohotkey.
4) The keyboard has been converted from an ISO layout to an ANSI layout. This reduced the key count from 122 to 120, but provides the most common layout used in the US. The primary differences are, the wider shift key on the left, the wider enter key, the movement of the backslash key to above the enter key, the tall plus key on the number pad, and several additional modifications.
Also, key caps have been replaced to better show many of the keys functions, for example, an Escape key has been added as well as Num Lock and many of the numeric keypad operators. Most of which came from a 101 key Model M.
5) The microprocessor can be reprogrammed by using the red push button on the back of the keyboard. If pushed by mistake, the keyboard should be unplugged and plugged back in.
For whoever buys the keyboard, I will do a one-time custom programming of the keys. This can be as simple as moving the Escape key or adding several keystrokes to various keys. Just let me know the changes you desire.
